Portable container



Patented July 23, 1957 PORTABLE CONTAINER Lydia Engstrom, Morton Grove, Ill. Application October 21, 1954, Serial No. 463,683

2 Claims. (Cl. 312-305) This invention relates in general to portable containers, and more specifically, to an upright type of portable container particularly adapted to store and render readily accessible sundry small items such as, for example, fishing tackle.

Heretofore, portable containers of this character have most generally taken a more or less elongate rectangular form of relatively shallow depth. Numerous improvements on such devices have been proposed and have included one or more trays or shelves mounted on pivotal arms so that when the lid or cover of such a container is opened the trays are automatically raised out of the box proper and arranged in stepwise fashion. Although on its face this appears to be a highly advantageous arrangement, it has been found that in order to be satisfactorily operative, the trays or shelves must be carefully loaded so that proper weight and balance distribution is maintained. Otherwise, the not infrequent result is an upsetting of the container whereby all of the contents become mixed to the obvious inconvenience of the user. Such a condition is obviously further aggravated when the container is used for fishing tackle and the unexpected upsetting occurs while the fisherman is in a boat or perhaps operating from a bank of a body of water aifordingprecarious footing.

Other portable containers of the elongate type have been heretofore proposed which have a plurality of compartments mounted on a horizontal shaft whereby selection of an item may be made by rotating the compartments until the proper one appears at the top of the container. This type of arrangement is inherently subject to the objection that the contents of each compartment are continuously mixed and jumbled which, in a specific case of, for example, fish hooks, is, to say the least, aggravating to the angler.

Moreover, if each compartment is not provided with an adequate closure member the contents will spill out when not in the uppermost position and again require further separation and recompartmentalization to meet the requirements of the user.

Additionally, all such known containers expose their contents to the weather whenever opened.

Applicant, on the other hand, has overcome all of these manifest disadvantages by the provision'of a compact, preferably cylindrical, upright container in which a plurality of trays which may or may not be individually compartmented are revolubly mounted in generally horizontal planes about a central, generally upstanding shaft. In order to accomplish ready accessibility to any tray on the shaft, all but the lowermost of the trays, which are preferably circular to closely fit within the cylindrical'confines of the exterior envelope, are each relieved of a sector. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this sector is of a wedge or pie-shape. It will be apparent, therefore, that with a suitable closure member of corresponding curvature in the side wall of the envelope for providing access to the trays, the contents need never be exposed to the weather and it is only necessary to rotate whichever tray is desired to a position beneath the relieved sector of the trays above, and the contents thereof will then be readily visible and easily accessible to the user. The trays, more over, can be spaced vertically on the shaft at whatever intervals are desired for the particular apparatus to be stored therein by any suitable manually manipulated adjusting means.

The closure member of such a container may additionally be provided with one or more internal straps on which more elongate objects may be suspended, such as, for example, leaders and the like, and whenthe closure member is closed these items will hang freely and unhampered within the space provided by the relieved sectors of the various shelves. Accessories for such a container include a conventional fastening or locking device, for the closure member and a simple handle, preferably on its upper surface, by which it may be readily transported manually without any danger of a cover or lid becoming disengaged andthe contents being spilled or otherwise upset.

A container of this kind may hold the average fishermans needs and not exceed the overall dimensions of a standard #10 can type of food container, that is to say, in the general dimensions of 10" high by 6" to 10 in diameter.

It is, therefore, a principal object of my invention to provide a convenient and compact portable container for sundry relatively small items such as, for example, fishing tackle.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a container which is preferably cylindrical in shape and adapted to be used in an upright position.

It is another object of this invention to provide such an upright container with a generally upstanding central spindle member on which are revolubly mounted one or more shelves or trays which may or may not be individually compartmentalized and at least some of which are relieved of a sector to provide ready visibility and access to items contained in a next lower tray or shelf.

It is yet another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately foregoing object, to provide a simple and readily manipulable manually adjustable means whereby the spacing of the shelves may be varied to suit the convenience of the user and the particular size of the items to be stored thereon.

It is another object of my invention to provide a closure member in the side Wall of the cylindrical container conforming in curvature to the general shape of the remainder of the envelope, and provided with suitable hinges and clasps or locking means, and additionally provided on its internal surface with one or more hanger members on which certain items may be suspended and maintained free from other engagement in the space provided by the relieved sectors of the respective trays when the closure member is closed.

A feature of my invention resides in the adaptability of the container to the provision of a simple handle on its top surface by which it may be readily transported and set down, always in an upright position, without danger of the top becoming disengaged whereby the contents might become strewn about as is not infrequently the case with most of the top opening, generally horizonally elongate type of containers presently available, particularly when the clasp or other locking member either fails or is inadvertently left incompletely latched.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision of an overhang or eave over the closure member.

These objects and additional features and advantages will become more readily apparent as the following de tailed description of a preferred embodiment of my in vention proceeds taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the container in its complete' form.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the segmentally relieved trays for the container.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another of the segmentally relieved trays or shelves which, as illustrated, may have a rim or side wall of greater depth than that of the tray illustrated in Fig. 2, and which, as illustrated, may

be conveniently compartmented for the separation of various small items, and I Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an unsegmentally r'elieved shelf or tray for the lowermost position on the spindle. This tray may likewise have an edge or side wall of greater depth than that of the tray illustrated in Fig. 2 and may also, if desired, be compartmented as illustrated.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, numeral designates a generally cylindrical envelope having a bottom 11 and top 12 permanently affixed thereto. The sidewall of the envelope 10 is provided with an opening 13 through which access may be had to the interior of said envelope. The access opening 13 is provided with a suitable closure member 14 which, as illustrated, is a door conforming to the general curvature of the envelope 10 and provided at one side with suitable hinges 15 and on another side with a latching element 16. As illustrated, the latching element 16 has cooperating latching elements 17 arranged for cooperation therewith affixed to the envelope 10 adjacent the access opening. As illustrated, a simple mode of such latching arrangement may take the form of spaced tubular members 17 on the envelope between which the single tubular member 16 on the door is aligned when the door 14 is closed. A pin, not shown, may be inserted through the aligned tubular members whereby the closure member is securely latched. Obviously, any other suitable type of latching or looking arrangement may be supplied in lieu of the members 16 and 17.

Extending over the access opening 13, and preferably formed as an integral part of the envelope 10, is an eave 18 arranged to closely overlay the closure member 14 when in its closed position so that rain or the like will be deflected and will not enter the envelope 10.

Within the cylindrical envelope 10, there is centrally mounted, preferably to the bottom 11 and 12, a generally upstanding spindle member 19. Revolubly mounted on the central spindle or shaft 19 are a plurality of shelves or trays 20, 30 and 40, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Any number and arrangement of these shelves or trays on the spindle member 19 can be used, but, as illustrated, preferably the lowermost of said shelves or trays will take the form of tray 40 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Such tray is generally circular in form and of a diameter to closely fit within the cylindrical envelope 10. To facilitate its mounting on the spindle 19, there is provided a short hub member 41 affixed centrally to the bottom 42 of the tray 40. As illustrated, the tray 40 may conveniently be provided with a peripheral wall 43 of a depth which is suggested not to exceed the distance between the lower edge of the access opening 13 and the bottom 11 of the cylindrical envelope 10. Furthermore, as illustrated, the lowermost tray 40 also may be provided with one or more partitions, such as 44 and 45, to provide separate compartments or spaces within the shelf or tray.

Above the lowermost tray 40, and preferably closely spacedand revolubly mounted on the spindle 19, there may be located one or more shelves or trays 30, such as that illustrated in Fig. 3. Each such tray is provided with a substantially circular base 31 and is' of approximately the same dimensions as the base 42 of the lowermost tray 40, except that it is relieved of a wedge or pie shaped sector 32 defined by Walls 33 and 34 which extend radially outwardly from a central tubular hub memher 35. As was the case with the lowermost tray 40, it is preferable that the tray or trays 30 be provided with a peripheral side wall 36 joining the Walls 32 and 33. The tray or shelf 30 may also be compartmentalized, and as illustrated, this is accomplished by the provision of partitions 37, 38 and 39, providing a number of separate spaces or compartments.

As illustrated, at least the uppermost tray may preferably take the form shown in Fig. 2. The tray 20 therein, like the tray of Fig. 3, is provided with a generally circular base or bottom 21 of the same radial dimensions as the other trays, and is relieved of a wedge, or pie shaped sector 22, corresponding to the relieved sector 32 of the tray or trays 30. The tray 20 is preferably provided with a narrow rail or peripheral restraining member 23 joined with cooperating members 24 and 25 defining the relieved sector 21. A central hub 26 affixed to the bottom 21 of the tray 20, and to which members 24 and 25 extend, is also provided as a bearing for rotation about the spindle 19.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a tray, such as 20, is uppermost and is spaced down the spindle from the top 12 of the container to provide a substantial space therebetween for the storage of relatively larger items, such as, in the case of fishing tackle, reels, etc. The intervening trays 30, on the other hand, being designed for relatively smaller items, can be closely spaced together or beneath a tray or trays, such as 20. A convenient means for spacing the various trays is accomplished by threading the spindle 19 and providing a manually adjustable nut or gland 50 threadably engaged on'the shaft 19, and beneath each of the tubular bearing members 25, 34 and 41 of the respective shelves. As illustrated, these nuts, or glands may be knurled for simple manual manipulation to adjust the relative positions of the shelves bearing thereon with respect to the shaft 19. Additionally, each of the nuts or glands 50 is provided with a second nut, or gland, 51 so that after a tray position is determined, the second element 51 may be threaded tightly thereagainst as a jamb or lock nut, whereby the tray position will remain fixed until such time as it is desired to make some readjustment.

The container is completed with such accessories as a handle 52 attached to the top member 12 by means of which the entire container and contents may be readily transported and set down in its upright position. The interior of the closure member 14 may likewise be provided with one or more rings or bands such as 53 and 54, upon which relatively elongate items may be suspended, such as, in the case of fishing tackle, leaders and the like. After the door 14 is closed, these items will then hang free and unimpaired Within the container in the space provided by the relieved portions of the trays 20 and 30 arranged as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Having described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications will be suggested to those skilled in the art, and it is intended that all such modifications as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fishing tackle portable container comprising a cylindrical envelope having a top and a bottom, said top having a carrying handle projecting upwardly from the top for easy grasp and carrying the fishing tackle container, said cylindrical envelope having an opening therein for access therethrough, said opening being of rectangular-like shape and bordered on its upper end by a turned up portion of the cylindrical envelope thereby forming an eave trough and stitfener for said envelope, a closure member of substantially the same curvature as said cylindrical envelope for said access opening, said closure member being hinged along one edge to the cylindrical envelope at an adjacent edge of said opening, fastener means for holding said closure closed, a bottom cylindrical tray open at the top and having a solid bottom end of slightly less diameter than said cylindrical envelope and mounted for rotation in the bottom thereof, the upper edge of said bottom tray terminating at a position even with the lower edge of said access opening in the cylindrical envelope, said bottom tray having a short upstanding hub fixed to the inside center of the bottom of the tray and having a socket formed therein adapted to receive the bottom of a spindle, an upstanding spindle member having its bottom end supported in said socket of the hub and extending upward therefrom, a plurality of substantially circular trays rotatably mounted on said spindle above said bottom tray, each tray above the bottom comprising a circular base relieved of a wedge-shaped sector for overlying access to the next lower tray, a central hub on said base of each tray adapted to be received over said spindle and a retaining wall extending upwardly from the periphery of said base, said spindle being threaded and threadedly receiving thereon nuts and cooperating lock nuts supporting said hubs of the trays in adjusted position along said spindle, said closure member having vertically spaced apart elongated hanger members attached to and extending from the inside of said closure member to project inwardly Within said envelope on closing said closure member and lie within the wedge-shaped sector portion of the adjacent trays and adapted to receive tackle suspended therefrom and therebetween and to deter rotation of said adjacent tray members.

2. A fishing tackle portable container comprising a cylindrical envelope having a top and a bottom, said top having a carrying handle projecting upwardly from the top for easy grasp and carrying the fishing tackle container, said cylindrical envelope having an opening therein for access therethrough, said opening being of rectangular-like shape and bordered on its upper end by an eave trough and stiffener for said envelope, a closure member of substantially the same curvature as said cylindrical envelope for said access opening, said closure member being hinged along one edge to the cylindrical envelope at an adjacent edge of said opening, fastener means for holding said closure closed, a bottom cylindrical tray open at the top and having a solid bottom end of slightly less diameter than said cylindrical envelope and mounted for rotation in the bottom thereof, the upper edge of said bottom tray terminating at a position substantially even with the lower edge of said access opening in the cylindrical envelope, said bottom tray having a short upstanding hub fixed to the inside center of the bottom of the tray and having a socket formed therein adapted to receive the bottom of a spindle, an upstanding spindle member having its bottom end supported in said socket of the hub and extending upward therefrom, a plurality of substantially circular trays rotatably mounted on said spindle above said bottom tray, each tray above the bottom comprising a circular base relieved of a wedge-shaped sector for overlying access to the next lower tray, a central hub on said base of each tray adapted to be received over said spindle and a retaining Wall extending upwardly from the periphery of said base, said spindle having means connected thereto supporting said hubs of the trays in adjusted position along said spindle, said closure member having vertically spaced apart elongated hanger members attached to and extending from the inside of said closure member to project inwardly within said envelope on closing said closure member and lie within the wedge-shaped sector portion of the adjacent trays and adapted to receive tackle suspended therefrom and therebetween and to deter rotation of said adjacent tray members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 456,728 Lamson July 28, 1891 799,233 Hubbell Sept. 12, 1905 969,959 Knight Sept. 13, 1910 1,248,682 Lauterbur Dec. 4, 1917 1,559,705 Jackson Nov. 3, 1925 1,908,797 Svalland May 16, 1933 2,182,003 Roark Dec. 5, 1939 2,693,401 Brown Nov. 2, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,886 Sweden June 6, 1903 

